No Reserve
123
Ludovic Ballouard
Upside Down "l'Anniversaire" - Philippe & Elisabeth Dufour Foundation
A superb and unique jump hour platinum wristwatch with miniature enamel dial with warranty and box, with proceeds going to charity
- Estimate
- In Excess of CHF 120,000 In Excess of $135,000 In Excess of €124,000
CHF190,500
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Ludovic Ballouard
- Year
- 2025
- Case No
- Caseback engraved: Piece Unique
- Model Name
- Upside Down "l'Anniversaire" - Philippe & Elisabeth Dufour Foundation
- Material
- Platinum
- Calibre
- Manual, cal. B01, 51 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Leather
- Clasp/Buckle
- Platinum Ludovic Ballouard pin buckle signed LB
- Dimensions
- 41mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Ludovic Ballouard fitted box, Certificate of Guarantee, polishing cloth and outer packaging.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The present unique Upside Down "L’Anniversaire" (the Birthday) is a true work of art, both mechanical and visual.
A mechanical work of art thanks to the complex and intricate mechanism and quirky time indication. The dial consists of 12 rotating discs, which are all upside down except for the correct hour, which is also denoted by a small dot that only becomes visible when the right side is up. At the top of the hour, the old hour passes and returns to the upside-down position while the new hour is rotated 180 degrees. The technical marvel of this movement is seen when one turns the watch over and through the sapphire back, one can admire the complexity of this unique timepiece. The movement plate carries twelve finely finished discs attached by tiny pinions, and it is as fascinating to watch the time change on the dial as it is from the movement side.
A visual work of art thanks to the dial in miniature hand-painted enamel, a reproduction of Marc Chagall’s "The Birthday" (painted in 1915 and currently at the MoMa), the dial was painted by Caroline Cottin in Ballouard’s metiers d’art workshop and is the first dial to be fully done in-house.
Chagall’s "The Birthday" represents the painter and his to-be wife, Bella, engaged in a dreamy kiss, and the dial renders the master’s vibrant hues in a superbly poetic manner.
A superb piece in absolutely every sense, the present Upside Down is sold for the benefit of the Philippe and Elisabeth Dufour Foundation. The Foundation brings support to humanitarian, educational, health, artistic and artisanal projects around the world.
A mechanical work of art thanks to the complex and intricate mechanism and quirky time indication. The dial consists of 12 rotating discs, which are all upside down except for the correct hour, which is also denoted by a small dot that only becomes visible when the right side is up. At the top of the hour, the old hour passes and returns to the upside-down position while the new hour is rotated 180 degrees. The technical marvel of this movement is seen when one turns the watch over and through the sapphire back, one can admire the complexity of this unique timepiece. The movement plate carries twelve finely finished discs attached by tiny pinions, and it is as fascinating to watch the time change on the dial as it is from the movement side.
A visual work of art thanks to the dial in miniature hand-painted enamel, a reproduction of Marc Chagall’s "The Birthday" (painted in 1915 and currently at the MoMa), the dial was painted by Caroline Cottin in Ballouard’s metiers d’art workshop and is the first dial to be fully done in-house.
Chagall’s "The Birthday" represents the painter and his to-be wife, Bella, engaged in a dreamy kiss, and the dial renders the master’s vibrant hues in a superbly poetic manner.
A superb piece in absolutely every sense, the present Upside Down is sold for the benefit of the Philippe and Elisabeth Dufour Foundation. The Foundation brings support to humanitarian, educational, health, artistic and artisanal projects around the world.